chosen...

1 Samuel 16: 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

imagine if we were chosen by what the world thinks of us...

I would never get picked.. almost like the schoolyard games.. if you weren't athletic you never got picked... it always made you want to be someone you are not... seems we never really like ourselves...

yet if we instead look at what God sees in us.. He doesn't look at our athletic ability.. not at our good looks... not at our personality even... He looks at our heart.. and I would believe He also looks at our eyes.. I don't mean our physical eyes.. but instead at our inner eyes.. what we see.. what we think.. the things that tie into our heart...

but I wonder.. when we look at our own heart.. what is it that we see?.. I can look at my heart and see the ugly in me... I wonder often why God would choose me when I am so full of the wrong things... I have come a long way from where I was a few years ago.. but I still battle with being judgemental.. I battle with gossip.. I battle with accepting people when I see a negative on their spirit... so why would God choose me?

for the same reason He chose you.. He sees us for where we are going.. not where we have been.. not where we are now...

Thank you Father.. for choosing us.. thank you.. for seeing us as we will be.. rather than where we have been or where we are..